Israeli military says it struck Iran's "secret" underground nuclear weapons development site

On the 3rd, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement saying they struck a “secret” underground nuclear weapons development site in Iran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated on the same day that there is no evidence indicating Iran is manufacturing nuclear weapons.

The IDF’s statement said they targeted multiple facilities related to Iran’s nuclear weapons program under the Ministry of Defense, destroying these facilities. The statement also mentioned that after significant damage to Iran’s nuclear-related activities, the facilities were moved to an underground location capable of withstanding airstrikes, allowing Iran to continue its nuclear weapons development work.

The statement further revealed that at this site, a team of nuclear scientists was secretly working on key components of nuclear weapons. IDF intelligence continued to track these scientists’ activities, pinpointed the location, and carried out a precise strike, “eliminating a critical link in Iran’s nuclear weapons development capability.”

IAEA Director General Grossi said at a press conference on the 2nd that no systematic nuclear weapons development program has been found in Iran. On the 3rd, Grossi stated on social media that there is no evidence Iran is manufacturing nuclear weapons, but he expressed serious concern over Iran’s large stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and its refusal to allow full access to IAEA inspectors.

In June last year, the United States launched the “Midnight Hammer” strike against Iran, with President Trump announcing that U.S. forces successfully targeted three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. (Xinhua)